The countdown to launch of Artemis 1 has begun. Tomorrow, the first commercial flight from private space company SpaceX will lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying supplies and research equipment to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch has been highly anticipated ever since NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011, leaving no US vehicles in place to transport goods or people into orbit. Now that the private sector has stepped in to pick up the slack, it’s time to learn everything you need to know about this historic flight—plus what it means for the future of space exploration.
A quick run-down of why you should care
NASA’s Artemis program is a mission to return humans to the moon and establish a sustainable presence there. The first step in this ambitious undertaking is the launch of Artemis 1, which is set to take place in late 2020. Why should you care? Well, what if we find life on the moon? What if we discover something new about our solar system that has never been seen before? What will it be like for our children to grow up with humans living on another planet for the first time in their lives? And even more importantly, how will it change us as people when our generation has helped bring humanity back from its apathy-induced slumber and reconnected with one of its most potent symbols – the moon. The moonscape is where Apollo 11 landed, where Armstrong made his historic speech declaring man’s first steps on the moon’s surface. How fitting then that Artemis 1 would now mark the dawn of man’s next great voyage, an exploration for not just what lies beyond Earth but also within ourselves.
How to Watch and View the Live Stream
The long-awaited launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission is finally here! Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the live stream of the launch. An online, NASA TV broadcast will be shown on all major news channels, so you can go online and check your local listings for when it airs in your area. If you’re not near a TV or computer, tune into the video feed on YouTube and Facebook Live for all your streaming needs.
Launch time is scheduled for 12pm EST (3pm GMT), but don’t worry if it starts later because there are plenty of ways to catch up with what happened while you were away.
What Happens When it Lands?
After an approximately seven-month journey, the Artemis I spacecraft will land on the moon. The mission’s main goals are to test out the new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule, as well as to collect data that will be used for future missions. Once it lands, the spacecraft will deploy a number of scientific instruments that will study the moon’s surface. After about a week, the data collected will be sent back to Earth, and then the spacecraft will power down and await its next mission.
Where Do I Find the Best Commentary on Artemis 1?
When it comes to following the Artemis 1 launch, there are a few different ways you can do it. You can watch it live on NASA TV, which will have commentary from experts during the launch. You can also follow along on social media using the hashtag #Artemis1. Finally, there are a number of websites that will be providing live updates and commentary on the launch, so you can always check there for the latest information. In other words, if you want to know everything about Artemis 1 and the progress we’re making towards our next great exploration in space, just keep your eyes peeled.
The countdown is happening now!
